Method of binding books



Feb. 18, 1941. E AL HAL 2,232,134

METHOD OF BINDING BOOKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Nov. 14, 1940 I I II'IIIIll|IIlIllII Hv ATTORNEYS Feb. 18, 1941. E. w. PALMER EI'AL METHOD OFBINDING BOOKS 4 She ets-Sheet 2 Filed Nov. 14, 1940 INVENT ATTORNEYSFel). 18, 1941.

' E. W. PALMER EI'AL METHOD OF BINDING BOOKS Filed Nov. 14, 1940 4Sheets-Sheet 3 INV ENTORS ATTORNEYS Feb. 18, 1941. E. w. PALMER ETAL IMETHOD OF BINDING BOOKS 4 Sheets-Sheet 4 Filed No v. 14, 1940 WINVENTORS ATTORNEYS Patented Feb. 18, 1941 PATENT OFFICE METHOD OFBINDING BOOKS Elbridge W. Palmer and Herman L. Beutler, Kingsport, Tenn,assignors to Kingsport Press, Inc., Kingsport, Tenn, a corporation ofDelaware Application November 14, 1940, Serial No. 365,593

13 Claims.

Our invention consists in a novel and eflicient method of providing bookbodies with hinge strips, said method including the following steps:advancing successive book bodies along a suitable support; causing theedges of a wide'tape to overlap the opposite sides of the advancing bookbodies; securing the overlapping edges to the book bodies; slitting thewide tape into two narrow tapes; and severing the narrow tapes betweensuccessive book bodies to form the hinge strips therefor.

Our invention more specifically comprises one or more of the followingadditional steps: gumming one face of the wide tape along its oppositeedges; causing one gummed edge to overlap and adhere to the under sidesof the advancing book bodies; guiding the book bodies; turning the widetape to cause its other gummed edge to overlap and adhere to the uppersides of the advancing book bodies; drilling the overlapping edges, andbook bodies, andstitching them together; and gluing the stitches.

A machine for carrying out our method is shown and described herein,such machine forming the subject matter ofour copending applicationfiled of even date herewith, its Serial No. being 365,592.

In the accompanying drawings:

Fig. 1 represents a detail side View, partly in section, of the machine;

Fig. 1 represents a continuation of Fig. 1 from the line a::z:;

Fig. 2 represents a detail section showing the drive for the stitchgluing mechanism;

Fig. 3 represents a detail horizontal section with the stitcher removed;

Fig. 4 represents a detail enlarged side view showing the rotary brushelement of the Wide tape turning mechanism;

Fig. 5 represents a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 6 represents a cross section taken in the plane of the line VI--VIof Fig. 4;

Fig. 7 represents a detail side view of the other elements of the widetape turning mechanism;

Fig. 8 represents a top plan view of the same;

Fig. 9 represents a detail cross section taken in the plane of the lineIX-IX of Fig. 7;

Fig. 10 represents a detail side view showing more clearly the mountingsfor the former bar and the rear edge gage bar;

Fig. 11 represents a detail plan view of the same;

Fig. 12 represents a detail cross section taken in the plane of the lineXII-XII of Fig. 11 and showing more clearly the slitting knife;

Fig. 13 represents a detail cross section taken in the plane of the lineXIII-QUIT. of Fig. 11;

Fig. 14 represents a transverse vertical section taken in the plane ofthe line XIV-XIV of FigflO;

Fig. 15 represents a detail plan view showing the several steps in theattaching of the wide tape to the book bodies and the slitting andsevering of the tape to form the hinge strips;

Fig. 16 represents a cross section taken in the plane of the lineXVI-XVI of Fig. 15;

Fig. 17 represents-a cross section taken in the plane of the lineXVIIXVIIof Figzl5;

Fig. 18 represents a cross section taken in the plane of the lineXVIII-JKVIII of Fig. 15;

Fig. 19 represents a detail face view partly in section showing the Websevering knife in its lowered position;

Fig. 20 represents a similar view showing the knife in its raisedposition;

Fig. 21 represents an edge View showing the knife in its raisedposition;

22 represents a detail edge view with the knife in its lowered position;

Fig. 23 represents a detail plan view of a modified form of the triplever which controls the operation of the knife; and

Fig. 24 represents a detail side elevation, partly in section, of thesame.

The supporting table is denoted by I. The magazine for supplying thebook bodies is denoted by 2. The intermittently moving endless conveyoris denoted by 3.- and it is provided with blocks 4 positioned to advancesuccessive book bodies in spaced relationship from the magazine intopositions for the several operations thereon.

The support for the roll of wide tape which is later to form the hingestrips for the book bodies, is denoted by 5. A means 6 is provided forgumming one face of the wide tape 7 along the opposite edges thereof,said gummed edges being denoted by 8 and 9.

A longitudinally disposed guard H3 is located in the magazine 2 inposition to prevent the under side of the bottom book body fromcontacting with the gummed edge 8 of the wide tape 'iuntil the book bodyhas left the magazine.

left the magazine, is denoted by II. The means for turning the tape maycomprise a rotary brush I2, a curved guide .I3 and the spring pressedfinger I4, which finger coacts with the former bar i I to hold the widetape in its turnedover position as it approaches the stitcher.

The front gage bar I5 is adjustable toward and away from the back gagebar for different widths of book bodies. The back gage bar is hereinshown as made in two aligned separated sections I6 and Il. End supportsI8 and I9 are provided for the first section I3 of the back gage bar,the end support I9 uprising from the table I. The second back gage barsection I! is supported only at one end, in the present instance by adownward branch 2I secured to the table supporting frame 22.

The former bar II is adjustably supported at one end by the magazine 2and at the other end by the cutter support to be hereinafter described.

The stitcher in the present instance includes bottom and top drills 23and 24, the needle and their usual operating mechanismswhichserve tocause the bottom drill 23 to out holes upwardly part way through thebook bodies and their associated Wide tape, and the top drill 24 tocomplots the holes, said needle 25 operating through said holes with itsthread to stitch the overlapping edges of the wide tape to the bookbodies as the holes are completed.

The means for slitting .the wide tape 1 into upper and lower tapes afterthe overlapping edges of the wide tape have been stitched to the bookbodies, comprises a slitting knife 26 projecting rearwardly from theformer bar II.

A guillotine cutter support 21 is mounted on the table I, the knife 28of which cutter is operated at predetermined intervals by the stitcherto sever the wide tape between successive book bodies to form hingestrips therefor. Means controlled by the advance movement of the bookbodies are provided for permitting the operation of the knife at thedesired intervals, said means comprising the following elements: a triplever 29 is held normally depressed by contact with the under sides ofthe book bodies and permitted to rise into the space between successivebook bodies when opposite the same. This trip lever 29 is provided witha pinion 30 which meshes with a rack 3| carrying a cam bar'32. This cambar 32 is provided at its upper end with a cam 33 so that when the cambar is lifted by the upward swing of the trip lever into the spacebetween two successive book bodies the said cam will engage a cam 34 .ona spring retracted latch 35 carried by the shank 33 of the knife 28 toforce the latch into a slot 31 in the reciprocating bar 38 operativelyconnected to the stitcher. The downward movement of the bar 38 willcause it to engage the latch 35 and thereby move the knife 28 downwardlybetween the adjacent ends of the back gage bar sections I6 .and I1 andthrough a slot 39 in the table I.

Springs 40 may be used to hold the tape severing knife 23 in its raisedinoperative position. A spring 41 is provided for yieldingly holding thetrip lever 29 in its raised position.

Means may be provided for gluing the exposed stitches along one of thehinge strips of each book body, said means comprising a glue fountain 42and its glue applying roll 43, said roll being located in the presentinstance in position to project upwardly through a slot 44* in thetable. This gluer may be driven from the endless conveyor 3 through thetrain of gears 44, 45, 4B (sh-own in Fig. 2).

Pressure means may be applied to the upper sides of the book bodies asthey pass from the magazine 2 to the delivery end of the endlessconveyor 3, said means comprising the pressure roller 41 at themagazine, the pressure rollers 48 located at the cutter and the pressurerollers 49 located at the gluer.

A modified form of the trip lever 59 (shown in Figs. 23 and 24) may beprovided with an extension foot 5| .to accommodate the trip lever tosuccessive book bodies having longer spaces between them.

To by-pass the free portion of the lower narrow .tape around the endsupport I9 of the back gage bar section I6 the table I may be providedwith an open ended curved slot 52, through which the said free portionof the lower narrow tape is passed beneath said support I9.

In operation, the wide tape as it passes from the supply roll carried bythe support 5 is led through the gummer 6 to gum one face of the tapealong its opposite edges. The tape is then led to and along the table Iwith one gummed edge passing through the magazine 2 between the endlessconveyor 3 and the guard I0. After the bottom book body is advanced fromthe magazine by the endless conveyor the under side of the ibOOk bodywill contact with and adhere to the gummed edge 8 of the wide tape. Itwill be seen that the wide tape is thus advanced by the movement of thebook bodies. As the book bodies reach the turning mechanism thetransversely disposed rotary brush I2 serves to turn the wide tapearound the bar I I sufficiently to cause the tape to be engaged by thecurved guide I3 and completely turned over the former bar to cause thegummed free edge 9 of the wide tape to overlap and adhere to the uppersides The book bodies with the turned-over wide tape are then advancedby the endless conveyor 3 into position to be drilled and stitched. Thewide tape is then slit by the knife 25 into two narrow tapes. The freeportion of the lower narrow tape is passed through the slot 52 beneaththe back gage bar support I9 to by-pass the said free portion aroundsaid support. After the slitting operation the narrow tapes and the lineof stitching are severed between successive book bodies, said severingmechanism operating only when the free end of its controlling trip lever29 is permitted to swing upwardly into the space between two successivebook bodies. It is understood that the trip lever 29 is held depressedby its contact with the under sides of the advancing book bodies exceptwhen the spaces between successive book bodies come opposite the freeend of the trip lever.

The book bodies are then advanced to a position where the exposedstitching along the under side hinge strips may be glued in the usualmanner. to lock the stitches.

It will be understood that the former bar is vertically adjustable tocenter it with respect to the Wide tape irrespective of the width of thebook bodies. It will also be understood that the back gage bar sectionsmay be either vertically adjustable or replaceable by other bar sectionsof a different width to center the back gage bar with respect todifferent widths of book bodies.

While we have shown the stitcher as a sewing machine, it is evident thatwe wish to cover other means, such as staplers, if so desired, withoutdeparting from the spirit and scope of our invention.

What we claim is:

1. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, causingthe edges of a wide tape to overlap the opposite sides of the bookbodies, securing said overlapping edges to the book bodies, slitting thewide tape into two narrow tapes, and severing the narrow tapes to formhinge strips for the book bodies.

2. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, causingthe gummed edges of a wide tape to overlap and adhere to the oppositesides of the book bodies, further securing said overlapping edges to thebook bodies, slitting the wide tape into two narrow tapes, and severingthe narrow tapes to form hinge strips for the book bodies.

3. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, causingthe gummed edges of a wide tape to overlap and adhere to the oppositesides of the book bodies, drilling the said overlapping edges and bookbodies and stitching them, slitting the wide tape into two narrow tapes,and severing the narrow tapes to form hinge strips for the book bodies.

4. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, causingthe gummed edges of a wide tape to overlap and adhere to the oppositesides of the book bodies,'stitching the said overlapping edges to thebook bodies, slitting the wide tape into two narrow tapes, severing thenarrow tapes to form hinge strips for the book bodies, and gluing thestitches.

5. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, causingthe gummed edges of a wide tape to overlap and adhere to the oppositesides of the book bodies, drilling the said overlapping edges and bookbodies and stitching them, slitting the wide tape into two narrow tapes,severing the narrow tapes to form hinge strips for the book bodies, andgluing the stitches.

6. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, gummingthe edges of one face of a wide tape, causing said gummed edges tooverlap and adhere to the opposite sides of the book bodies, furthersecuring the said overlapping edges to the book bodies, slitting thewide tape into two narrow tapes, and severing the narrow tapes to formhinge strips for the book bodies.

7. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, feedinga wide tape with one edge overlapping the under sides of the bookbodies, turning the wide tape to cause its other edge to overlap theupper sides of said book bodies, securing the overlapping edges to thebook bodies, slitting the wide tape into two narrow tapes, and severingthe narrow tapes between successive book bodies to form hinge stripstherefor.

8. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, feedinga wide tape having gummed edges with one gummed edge over lapping andadhered to the under sides of the book bodies, turning the wide tape andcausing its other gummed edge to overlap and adhere to the upper sidesof said book bodies, additionally securing the overlapping edges to thebook bodies, slitting the wide tape into two narrow tapes, and severingthe narrow tapes between successive book bodies to form hinge stripstherefor.

9. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies, feedinga wide tape having gummed edges with one gummed edge overlapping andadhered to the under sides of the book bodies, turning the wide tape andcausing its other gummed edge to overlap and adhere to the upper sidesof said book bodies, drilling the said overlapping edges and book bodiesand stitching them, slitting the Wide tape into two narrow tapes, andsevering the narrow tapes between successive book bodies to form hingestrips therefor.

10. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies,feeding a wide tape having gummed edges with one gummed edge overlappingand adhered to the under sides of the book bodies, turning the wide tapeand causing its other gummed edge to overlap and adhere to the uppersides of said book bodies, drilling the said overlapping edges and bookbodies and stitching them, slitting the wide tape into two narrow tapes,severing the narrow tapes between successive book bodies to form hingestrips therefor, and gluing the stitches.

11. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies,feeding a wide tape, gumming the edges of one face of the wide tape,passing one gummed edge underneath and adhering it to the under sides ofsuccessive book bodies, turning the other gummed edge over and adheringit to the upper sides of the book bodies, additionally securing theoverlapping edges to the wide tape, slitting the wide tape into twonarrow tapes, and severing the narrow tapes between successive bookbodies to form hinge strips therefor.

12. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies,feeding a wide tape, gumming the edges of one face of the wide tape,passing one gummed edge underneath and adhering it to the under sides ofsuccessive book bodies, turning the other gummed edge over and adheringit to the upper sides of the book bodies, drilling the said overlappingedges and book bodies and stitching them, slitting the wide tape intotwo narrow tapes, and severing the narrow tapes between successive bookbodies to form hinge strips therefor.

13. The method which comprises, advancing successive book bodies,feeding a wide tape, gumming the edges of one face of the wide tape,passing one gummed edge underneath and adhering it to the under sides ofsuccessive book bodies, turning the other gummed edge over and adheringit to the upper sides of the book bodies, drilling the said overlappingedges and book bodies and stitching them, slitting the wide tape intotwo narrow tapes, severing the narrow tapes between successive bookbodies to form hinge strips therefor, and gluing the stitches.

EIBRDDGE W. PALMER. HERMAN L. BEUTLER.

